Kurt Thomas Released By the New York Knicks (UPDATE)

UPDATE: As expected, the Knicks gave the NBA’s oldest player his walking papers today. (New York will reportedly add Solomon Jones to their roster.) Happy trails, Kurt “Krazy Eyes” Thomas. Per the AP: “The 40-year-old Thomas was waived on Friday. He was sidelined last month by a stress fracture in his right foot and missed 12 games. New York general manager Glen Grunwald says ‘due to a rash of injuries to our big men, we felt that it was important for us to free up a spot on our roster.’ […] The 18-year NBA player averaged 2.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 10 minutes in 39 games with the Knicks.”

++++++++++

The NBA’s oldest player is on his way out of the League — the New York Knicks are expected to release the injured Kurt Thomas today (in typical Knicks fashion), making room for a healthy body as the Playoffs loom. Per the NY Daily News: “Thomas will lose the title of the NBA’s oldest player Friday once the Knicks, desperate to add a healthy body for their depleted front line, release the 40-year-old forward and sign journeyman James Singleton. The expected move — Singleton was in town Thursday but unable to play because the deal was not finalized — comes eight days before the playoffs begin and 23 days since Thomas saved the Knicks’ hide on the West Coast by playing the game of his life. The Knicks’ winning streak, which was snapped at 13 games Thursday night, began in Utah with Thomas’ selfless and courageous performance. Thomas played with a broken foot, knowing that he could possibly damage it further by playing. Next week, Thomas will have pins inserted in his right foot. ‘For him to go out there and be playing on a fractured foot and do the things he did for that game, (he) helped us right the ship,’ Carmelo Anthony said. ‘I don’t think he gets enough credit for that.’ Instead, Thomas is essentially being fired. This is a necessary evil of the business, of course. The Knicks need frontcourt insurance and Thomas wouldn’t be available even if the Knicks reach the NBA Finals. With Thomas gone, 39-year-old Marcus Camby is now the second- oldest player on the roster behind Jason Kidd and the only active player from the Knicks team that reached the 1999 NBA Finals. Active in theory, that is. When Camby plays again is anyone’s guess. […] Glen Grunwald won’t be erring in releasing Thomas. The Knicks have to do something. Is it cold-blooded? Absolutely. But as they say in that famous movie about a family, ‘It’s business, nothing personal.’ That’s not to say Thomas’ exit couldn’t have been handled a bit better. When Thomas learned of his pending fate on Wednesday, he was asked not to speak to reporters. Imagine that. You’re being fired, your career may be over, you need surgery because you played hurt and now some insensitive former co-worker wants you to show a little loyalty.”